So many gears, pointless?

[faster]

You haven't defined your objectives.

I'm not sure they need to be defined.

 

[winjim]

I'm not sure they need to be defined.

Then you can't say there's an advantage. 'Advantage' is meaningless in that context.

 

[faster]

Then you can't say there's an advantage. 'Advantage' is meaningless in that context.

I'm not sure what my objectives have to do with this, and I'm not sure in which context the 'advantage' is meaningless, but my post should be considered in the context of the original post.

Apologies for not making myself more clear.

 

[Rusty Nails]

12 speed transmissions are fine - so long as they are six on the back two on the front.

I can safely say the answer to that is no on both counts!

My flabber is totally gasted.

 

[hobo]

7 speed 11 -28t
8 speed added 32t
9 speed added 34t
10 speed added 36t
11 speed added 42t
12 speed added 10t
Where's the benefits?

 

[Blue Hills]

Then you can't say there's an advantage. 'Advantage' is meaningless in that context.

Good to see an analytical mind at work, especially in these times
Congrats.
Of course some folk just want more more MORE I tell you.
Don't care what it is - give me MORE.
and then some MORE

 

[Twilkes]

7 speed 11 -28t
8 speed added 32t
9 speed added 34t
10 speed added 36t
11 speed added 42t
12 speed added 10t
Where's the benefits?

You can buy an 11 speed 12-25, with closer spacings than an 8 speed 12-25, allowing the rider to maintain closer to their optimum cadence.

Whether that's worth the cost and maintenance etc to any particular rider is up to them.

 

[guitarpete247]

Over the years I've gone up from 3 speed (Moulton), 5, 6, 8 and now 10 speed Tiagra.
From 6 to 8 was from friction to indexed. Claris to Tiagra the big difference is the intermediate gearing and the smoother changing.
At 63 I don't know if I will ever justify spending on another gear or two. SWMBO thinks 3 road and 1 (1982) 3x6 speed MTB are enough.


I think I need something newer and shinier but will need more room in garage.

 

[gbb]

Perhaps already said, I havnt read a lot of the replies, 11 speed will simply allow you to maintain a steadier cadence than 8 speed...whatever the terrain or conditions (if that's important to you), simply by virtue of the smaller steps between sprockets.
Hills are the only time i can think of when you should really benifit, smaller steps allowing you to maintain a steady work rate as the hill progresses.

 

[Gunk]

I’m running 10 speed on my MTB and 11 on my road bike, the advantage with the newer style shifters is just ease of use, you can select to change one, two of three gears in one go and it’s just seamless.

 

[Once a Wheeler]

When I see a pro riding a flat time trial with multiple chainrings I often wonder if the purpose of the front gearing is not just to make sure the bike exceeds the minimum weight restrictions. In my opinion, beyond 12 is finessing, beyond 20 risks impracticality. However, gears to cyclists are like the weather to ordinary mortals — a fascinating and never-ending topic of conversation.

 

[DCBassman]

After the last couple of days fighting with the 9-speed 36t setup on the Scott, I'm giving up and reverting to a flat-bat 8-speed 34t setup. I'll address the lack of the 36t sprocket by attempting to fit new chainrings, if I can get the right ones (50 and 39 outer and middle) to fit the Ritchey triple I have., So, I will have a spare HG400 12-36t cassette going, with under 200 miles on the clock.

 

[silva]

With getting older I'm dropping gears, currently at 1 so future looks bleak.

 

[winjim]

Good to see an analytical mind at work, especially in these times
Congrats.
Of course some folk just want more more MORE I tell you.
Don't care what it is - give me MORE.
and then some MORE

You say analytical, some might say tediously pedantic.

Personally, I fell in love with 2014 Campagnolo 11sp and nobody's going to convince me that anything else is necessary or better*. Athena compact on the commuter, Chorus standard double on the Ti fighter. This was when they still had the five arm spider, before they ruined the look of the crankset. It's lovely, and just works straight out of the box.

*Don't tell anyone, but the cargo bike's got a mixture of Shimano & SRAM 10sp triple.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You can buy an 11 speed 12-25, with closer spacings than an 8 speed 12-25, allowing the rider to maintain closer to their optimum cadence.

Is there any evidence that we all have an optimum cadence and what do you mean by optimum. Optimum in what way? Plus if it is optimal how much can it vary before it becomes sub optimal? I.e. Is it a range or a tightly controlled value?